Page "Guanyin" Paragraph 21

Guanyin is the Chinese name for Avalokiteśvara.

However, folk traditions in China and other East Asian countries have added many distinctive characteristics and legends.

Avalokiteśvara was originally depicted as a male bodhisattva, and therefore wears chest-revealing clothing and may even sport a moustache.

Although this depiction still exists in the Far East, Guanyin is more often depicted as a woman in modern times.

Additionally, some people believe that Guanyin is androgynous ( or perhaps neither ).